Become a Friend of West Dean College and Gardens

The two levels of membership (College and Garden) enable you to
enjoy the parts of West Dean that interest you most.

The following benefits are included in your Friend
membership:

Complimentary entry - all Friends enjoy the
changing face of West Dean Gardens throughout the year during
normal opening hours. (Please note the gardens close from 23
December 2018 to 1 February 2019.)

Events - your chance to get behind-the-scenes.
Discover more about the College and meet the people who look after
West Dean house and the glorious gardens that you enjoy year round.
An additional charge may apply and certain events are restricted to
College Friends only.

Regular Newsletters - packed full of
information to help you make the most of your membership, keep
informed and right up to date with all the latest news and
events.

Entry to West Dean events - Garden Friends get
complimentary entry to one day of the West Dean Arts and Craft
Festival. Entry fees will apply on all other event days.

Relax and have a brew! - After a long walk
around the gardens, perhaps it's time for a cream tea? You can
enjoy a 10% discount in the Gardens Restaurant (excluding alcohol
and special menus/events) - just show your Friend membership card
at the till.

College Friends receive the following additional
benefits:

Entry to West Dean events - College Friends are
provided with complimentary entry to the Arts and Craft Festival
(all 3 days).

Make use of the College craft shop, Dining Room and
Steward's bar - Connect with like-minded Friends and
become part of our artistic community. Stock-up with supplies from
the craft shop, have a drink in the bar or dine with us in the
College dining room. Advance booking is essential.

Monthly coffee morning - Join us on the second
Friday of each month from 10am for a cup of coffee and to meet
other College Friends. We will also be joined by a guest speaker
every other month - a great opportunity for you to hear from the
people who work hard to protect the historic house, its collection
and grounds. There's no need to book, just show your College Friend
membership card and sign-in at the College reception. We look
forward to seeing you.

"I was so pleased to find the regular monthly walk for Garden
Friends. To know I can stroll around with a group of kindly people
makes membership so valuable. I really look forward to it."

Alison Pearce, Garden Friend

Friend membership levels

Choose the level of Friend membership that suits you.
Download and complete
an
application form.

Terms and conditions apply.

Gift Membership

Give a Gift of Friend Membership

West Dean College or Garden Friend membership for an individual
or a couple, is the perfect gift for a friend or loved one to enjoy
all year round. We can send the membership pack directly to the
person of your choice or return it to you to give them
directly.

To buy or renew a Friend membership
download your application form and return it completed with
your preferred options. Friend memberships are also available to
buy in the Gardens Shop or can be purchased by phone,
please call us on 01243 818256.

Friend News

Garden Friends event access

Garden Friends get complimentary entry to one day of the West
Dean Arts and Craft Festival. Entry fees will apply on all other
event days. You will receive your complimentary ticket in your
membership/renewal pack. Remember to bring it with you to gain
entry into the event.

Friends Events

Every year we organise a number of events that are your chance
to get behind-the-scenes and enjoy West Dean all year round. Come
along and meet the people who look after West Dean Gardens. We look
forward to welcoming you.

Carols by the Christmas Tree

'While Shepherds watched their flocks by night' Carols
by the Christmas Tree with a Shepherds and Sheep theme

Thursday 12 December 2019, 2.30pm and 7.00pm in the Oak
Hall, West Dean College

A programme of well-known carols for everyone to sing, carols
sung by the Winterbourne Singers
and played by the West Dean Viol Consort, including a new carol
specially written for the occasion by Mary Hampton, West Dean
Composer-in-Residence.

Tickets £12.50, including mulled wine and mince pies served in
the Old Library during the interval.

The Christmas Gift Fair with work by West Dean Staff will be
held in the Old Dining Room and Music Room, 2.00 to 8.30pm.

The Garden Friends walk takes place on the first Thursday of
each month. Meet Jenny Stewart (volunteer and Garden Friend) in the
Gardens Restaurant at 10.30am for a coffee and then head off for a
walk at 11am. These walks are informal and a chance for you to take
a walk around the gardens with a group of garden enthusiasts and
West Dean Friends.

'West Dean Gardens are so special because they are where
horticultural skills are honed, traditions preserved and plants of
all types grown and tested.'

TOBY BUCKLAND, Gardener and TV presenter.

Contact the Friends Team

The Friends office is open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm.

You can contact us via email
or telephone us on 01243 818256 and
we shall be happy to help.